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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Ref ID : 677

Agnes Ruttner-Kolisko; Problems in taxonomy of rotifers, exemplified by the Filinia longiseta-terminalis complex. Hydrobiologia 186/187:291-298, 1989

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The validity of taxonomical categories in parthenogenic groups is discussed. Special problems of rotifer taxonomy are caused by: facultative or obligatory parthenogenic reproduction, high morphological and genetic variability and paucity of morphological characteristics. Examples of these problems are provided by the Filinia terminalis-longiseta group. The different ecological properties of various populations belonging to this group are emphasized. Suggestions concerning the creation of new taxa are made; in particular, the importance of using ecological data is stressed.